Nasal Spray Treatment Options
Nasal sprays help treat the symptoms of migraines but cannot prevent them from happening. A nasal spray will not reduce the number of migraines you get. However, they may provide rapid relief from a migraine in as little as 15 minutes.
A nasal spray can provide quick relief because the body can absorb the medications faster through the nose than in pill form. Your nose has many blood vessels that can absorb drugs. By entering the bloodstream through these blood vessels, medicine does not have to pass through your digestive system first.
Nasal sprays approved for treating acute migraine symptoms work by narrowing the blood vessels in the brain and reducing inflammation. They can also block pain signals.
Available Nasal Sprays for Migraine
The following prescription nasal sprays are available to treat migraine:
Triptans: Imitrex or Tosymra (sumatriptan) and Zomig (zolmitriptan)Ergotamines: Migranal or Trudhesa (dihydroergotamine mesylate)Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug: Sprix (ketorolac)
Contact your healthcare professional if you are interested in a nasal spray for migraines.
How to Use Nasal Spray
You should use the nasal spray as soon as the symptoms of a migraine appear. In general, you want to follow these steps:
Read the instructions on your nasal spray. Blow your nose. Take the cap off your nasal spray. Hold the spray without pressing the plunger. Block off one nostril by pressing down on it with a finger. Place the spray bottle’s tip inside the other nostril. While breathing in through the nose, spray the liquid. Remove the nasal spray bottle tip from your nose. Breathe in through the mouth for five to 10 seconds. Avoid tilting your head far back or sniffing, so the medicine does not move down your throat.
Make sure to read and follow the specific instructions on your nasal spray product. Ask your healthcare professional if you have questions about using the medication.
Effectiveness
Nasal sprays are considered to be highly effective treatment options for migraines. They can start to work in 15 minutes after you use them. However, nasal sprays work best if you use them as soon as the symptoms of a migraine appear.
According to the American Headache Society, nasal sprays are effective for treating migraines. Studies comparing nasal sprays to placebos (inactive sprays) show that the medications help treat the symptoms of migraines.
Benefits
The benefits of using nasal sprays for migraines are:
Fast relief from migrainesPrevention of nausea and vomiting associated with migrainesNo need for injectionsEffective way to stop migraines
Side Effects
The side effects of using nasal sprays for migraines may include:
Dry mouthIrritated, stuffy, or runny noseUnusual taste in your mouthNauseaWeaknessFatigueDizzinessDrowsinessSkin sensitivity around the nose
Summary
Nasal sprays are an effective treatment option for people who have migraines. They can work as quickly as 15 minutes if you take them at the first sign of a migraine. Although there are benefits to using nasal sprays, you should also be aware of the side effects.
A Word From Verywell
If you have migraines, you may want to consider using a nasal spray. Talk to your doctor about all of your treatment options to find the best one for you. You should not ignore migraine symptoms, and there are medications that may help.
Have taken other triptans or ergot-type medications in the past 24 hoursCurrently take a monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitor such as Nardil (phenelzine) or took one in the last two weeks. These are a type of antidepressant and may also be used for migraine.
Tell your doctor about the following conditions because they may affect your ability to use nasal sprays for migraines:
AllergiesHeart diseaseCirculation problemsHigh blood pressureHigh cholesterolDiabetesLiver diseaseKidney diseasePregnancySmokingObesity
